Suspended Vacuum Sealer Appliance

ABSTRACT

A Suspended Vacuum Sealer Appliance is a packaging device for extracting ambient air from a vacuum bag that is filled with foods or other items and then sealing the bag, whereby the vacuum sealer is attached suspended under a shelf, cabinet or the like, a vacuum bag is held suspended vertically for filling with items outside of the appliance and the vacuum bag&#39;s open end is held vertically in the vertically oriented vacuum chamber opening by means of adjustable bag clips which holds the vacuum bag suspended in a vertical plane while ambient air is extracted and the bag sealed, and further providing a flat storage tray for vacuum bags within or on the appliance.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/124,033, filed Apr. 14, 2008,for SUSPENDED VACUUM SEALER, by Hugh M. Lyman, Jr., included byreference herein and for which benefit of the priority date is herebyclaimed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vacuum packaging and sealingappliance. More specifically, this invention relates to a vacuum sealerappliance that is attached suspended to the underside of a shelf,cabinet or the like, for vacuum packing and sealing various types ofcontainers, wherein the invention provides a means attached to or withinthe appliance for positively holding a vacuum storage bag in a verticalposition outside of the appliance, wherein both hands of the user arefree for filling the bag with items. The appliance holds the open end ofa vacuum storage bag positively suspended vertically in a vertical ornear vertical vacuum chamber opening for evacuating ambient air from thevacuum bag and then sealing the bag. Further, provided is a storage trayfor storing flat vacuum bags.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vacuum packaging and sealing appliances have been used for many years topackage and seal containers both domestically and commercially. Theappliance extracts ambient air from a container by means of a vacuumsource and then seals the container while the vacuum is maintained inthe container. Various types of containers are readily available forthis process, such as glass jars, plastic containers and plastic vacuumbags. Many benefits are derived from this process. Foods are preservedfor longer periods of time. Items subject to tarnishing can be protectedfrom tarnishing by sealing them void of oxygen. Many other commoditiescan be kept fresh by keeping them void of ambient air.

Typically, vacuum sealing appliances are operated by isolating the openend of a container, extracting the ambient air from the container andthen sealing the container. Several appliances known to the inventor arecurrently available in the market place, such as, FoodSaver,Seal-A-Meal, Deni, Sears, Black & Decker, Futura and Vacuum Sealer Pro.These appliances are all portable table top appliances and the vacuumbags are positioned outside the appliance in a horizontal position. Forvacuuming and sealing vacuum bags they all provide a means forpositioning a vacuum bag's open end in communication with a vacuumsource. These appliances all have a base and a pivotal lid or hood,wherein the lid closes over the open end of a vacuum storage bag,isolating the open end in a vacuum chamber or on a vacuum nozzle. As allof these appliances are portable and for table top use they are normallystored away in a closet or the like, therefore they are time consumingto retrieve, setup and breakdown for storage, thus they are seldom usedwhen only a few items such as meal leftovers could be vacuum packaged.

Another problem with these appliances is that the vacuum chamber orvacuum nozzle therein is in or near a horizontal position and not in thesame plane with the table top the appliances are setting on. Therefore,the vacuum bag filled with items rests down on the table top below thehorizontal plane of the vacuum chamber or nozzle, making it difficult tohold and maintain the open end of the bag in the vacuum chamber ornozzle. To solve the problem, a prop or riser plate is required, such asa book or cutting board to elevate the bag to a position that theoperator can hold the open end of the bag in the position of the vacuumchamber or nozzle. (See page 30 “Vacuum Sealer Guide” by Roger Seher).WO 2007/091822 Patent issued to Sung discloses a drawer provided in thefront of the appliance for holding the vacuum bag and contents. Notaddressed in Sung patent is the evident advantage of elevating the bagand contents to a closer horizontal plane. Even then, the vacuum bag'sopen end has the tendency to shift while the lid or hood is being closedover the open end of the bag, thus requiring additional positioning forproper vacuuming and sealing.

Another problem with horizontal positioned bags is a tendency to getdebris from the content items around the inside edges of the bag wherethe bag is in contact with vacuum chamber seals and the heat strip wire,whereas the vacuum and seal can be negated due to contamination. A cleandry surface on the inside open end of the bag down to where the seal isperformed is desired to obtain a good vacuum and a good seal. Therefore,it is necessary to clean the inside surface of the bag with a towel whenpackaging contents that tend to be messy, therein requiring anadditional step in the process of vacuuming and sealing a bag. Thisproblem is addressed in Roger Seher's eBook “The Vacuum Sealer Guide”,pages 29 and 30, (www.VacuumSealerGuide.com) where he recommends a papercut funnel and a coffee can to support the bag in a vertical positionfor filling in order to keep the inside of the bag free of contaminates.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,179,862 issued to Landolt discloses a horizontal tabletop vacuum sealer in which a spring rod is attached to the hood, whereinthe rod engages the vacuum bag below the open end to depress it into avacuum chamber to hold the open end of a bag in the chamber. However,this appliance is designed to have the bag and contents horizontal onthe inside of the appliance and the rod may not be a positive restraintfor holding a bag in a vertical position.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,925 issued to Skerjanec et al presents a vacuumsealer appliance which claims to hold a bag's open end within theappliance for filling with items. One problem with this appliance isthat one end of the bag must be held by one hand of the operator therebyleaving only one hand free to fill the bag, which in the case of somefood items this could be very messy and present the potential ofspilling said contents into the appliance. Also, debris from thecontents being filled can accumulate in the area of the bag where it isto be sealed and thereby cause the seal to fail. Further, Skerjanec etal addresses a wall mounted appliance as prior art. It would be evidentto anyone ordinary skilled in the art to know that many table topappliances could be mounted to a wall, wherein the bag would then hangin a vertical position whether the vacuum chamber is horizontal orvertical. This is indicated by Deni Magic Vac Model 1715 in theirliterature, wherein the appliance can be mounted to a wall by means ofholes placed in the housing, however, it is not known if it mountshorizontally or vertically. Further, it is not recommended as there isno means to hold the open end of a vacuum bag in position of the vacuumchamber for vacuuming and sealing. Other similar table top appliancesdisclose that their appliance can be wall mounted, however the sameapplies as above, in that there is no mention of how the device ismounted, vertically or horizontal, other than they provide holes in thecase for such mounting.

Referring again to Skerjanec's appliance. It requires a suction nozzleorifice component to extract the ambient air from the bag. This systemis widely used in many appliances. The problem with a nozzle orifice isthat the rubber seals that creates the vacuum closure compresses aroundthe nozzle orifice and eventually becomes distorted to where a vacuum isdifficult to maintain before sealing the bag. Further, Skerjanec'sappliance could not be mounted under a shelf, cabinet or the like.

Another common method today is the use of a vacuum chamber, as addressedby Landolt, which can evacuate the ambient air by use of special airtight vacuum bags that have ribs embossed on at least one side of thebag, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,778,171 issued to Taunton in 1957,U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,422 issued to Kristen in 1988 and U.S. Pat. No.6,883,665 issued to Ahn in 2005.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,310 issued to Kristen in 1990, Patent No. WO2004/048203 issued to Ahn in 2004 and Patent No. WO 2007/091822 issuedto Sung in 2007 all disclose vacuum sealing appliances that have avacuum chamber (space) that permits the use of embossed vacuum bags.These bags allow the escape of ambient air from the open end of a bagheld in a vacuum chamber (space) while the vacuum source holds thevacuum until the bag is sealed. Further, these devices are all table topappliances with the vacuum chamber oriented in a horizontal plane andnot intended for suspension under a shelf, cabinet or the like. Further,there is no provision for holding the open end of the bag prior toclosing the lid.

A problem encountered with vacuum chambers as well as vacuum nozzles hasbeen that the open end of the vacuum bag is difficult to keep orientedcorrectly in the chamber. Referring again to U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,310issued to Kristen, column 3, line 65, states his vacuum chamber isadapted to hold the panels of the bag. This is only true after pressureis applied from the hood and a vacuum is generated in the vacuumchamber, wherein the gaskets closing the vacuum chamber clamp the bag'sopen end and hold it secure, however, the bag's open end is still freeto dislodge before gasket pressure is introduced and requires continualadjusting as the vacuum bag with contents is laid in a horizontal plane.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,866,390 issued to Moreland et al discloses a wallmounted vacuum sealing device wherein the vacuum bag is held in avertical position. The means for holding the bag in the verticalposition are pins which engage perforated holes in the sides of the bag.This means requires special bags and is not adjustable for differentwidth bags. Further, this device has no vacuum chamber and can only bewall mounted.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,234 issued to Sung et al discloses an appliance thatcan be wall mounted. Also provided are rotating grip pins for holdingthe bag either by pre-punched holes in the bag or clamps. This designrequires complicated mechanical gears and levers. Further, it could onlyhold one size bag and could not be mounted under a shelf, cabinet or thelike, as the filler means rotates over the top of the device. Also, thisdevice is only for sealing a bag and provides no means for vacuumextracting ambient air from the bag.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0022473 A1 by Small teachesa bag clamp that opens and closes to hold a bag's open end in a vacuumchamber, prior to closing the lid. The problem with this devise is it iscomplicated with moving parts and any contaminates from items beingpackaged in the horizontal position will have a tendency to contaminatethe moving parts of the clamps and make them inoperative. Further, thisappliance is for table use and cannot be mounted under a shelf, cabinetor the like.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0205455 by Harrisondiscloses not only an embossed vacuum bag, but also two variations of anappliance for under counter mounting with pull in pins to hold thevacuum bag. The problem with this arrangement is evident in that thepull in pins 170 a and 170 b (Para [0091]) engage the front cover 154and do not hold the vacuum bag until the front cover is closed,requiring extensive mechanical and electrical components for itsoperation. Further, the operator must hold a filled vacuum bag in place(this takes two hands) until the sensors activate the pull in pins. Asthe sensors are in the vacuum chamber (FIG. 15) they will getcontaminated with any liquids from the contents in the vacuum bag duringthe evacuation of ambient.

In Paragraph [0155], Harrison addresses optional locating pins 358 thatmay pierce the bag as means to hold the vacuum bag. No mention of wherethe locator pins are positioned on the device, other than they arepositioned outside of the sealed area of the vacuum storage bag. Notknown is how the pins are affixed. The locating pins cannot pierce thevacuum bag prior to the hinged operating vacuum clip mechanism closing(FIG. 27). This alternate means requires the use of a vacuum bar (vacuumnozzle).

In summary of Harrison's disclosures it is noted, that excessivemechanical, electrical and pneumatic components are required toaccomplish the intended application by use of many moving parts,springs, solenoids, latches, locking pins, bars, control valves, checkvalves, sensors, bladders and magnets. It would be evident that thisdevice would be comparatively expensive to produce and requiringextensive maintenance and operator instructions. As Harrison'sillustrations are only outline drawings it may be difficult for anyordinarily skilled in the art to understand, make, and use the device.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0117711 by Higer disclosesa vacuum packaging appliance which can be mounted under a cabinet. Theproposed invention discloses a hinged mechanism similar to Harrison's,for holding a vacuum storage bag in a slot arrangement, wherein thevacuum bag's open end is inserted in a horizontal plane and held bygriping posts. Behind the hinged mechanism is a vacuum chamber with orwithout a removable tray for accumulating liquids from a filled vacuumbag as vacuum suction is performed. Liquids always accumulate in thevacuum chamber to the degree of the liquid content on the product beingvacuum packed.

Therefore, the removable drip tray which can be easily cleaned is animportant accessory. The problem with Higer's device is that the hingedgriping mechanism is in front of the vacuum chamber that holds theremovable drip tray, exposing the hinged mechanism to contamination fromliquids being sucked into the vacuum chamber.

Higer addresses lidless and lidded variations to his device. The liddedconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 9 indicates the lid would rotate andthen slide above the device to provide visual contact of the insertionslot.

Higer's device requires excessive components such as, springs, latchingmechanisms, bladders, hinges, magnets, shutters and balloons. It wouldbe evident that this device would be comparatively expensive to produceand require extensive maintenance and operator instructions. As Higer'sillustrations are only outline drawings it may be difficult for anyordinarily skilled in the art to understand, make, and use the device.

Heretofore, no known prior art addresses or discloses an engineeredsimplistic vacuum sealing appliance that provides for suspended mountingor attaching to the underside of a shelf, cabinet or the like and iseasily removable.

Heretofore, no known prior art addresses or discloses a vacuum packagingsealing appliance that provides within the appliance a simple positivemeans for holding a bag suspended vertically for filling from outside ofthe appliance, wherein both hands of the operator are free to performthe filling operation.

Heretofore, no known prior art addresses or discloses a vacuum sealingappliance that provides a simple positive means for holding the open endof variable width filled vacuum bags in a vertical or near verticallyoriented vacuum chamber opening. Further, no known prior art addressesor discloses a vacuum sealing appliance that provides a means forstoring a flat vacuum bag therein.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a vacuum sealerthat mounts suspended under a shelf, cabinet or the like and isinstantly available for use, eliminating setup and breakdown time.

It is another object of the invention to provide a vacuum sealerappliance that is easily removable from the underside of a shelf,cabinet or the like, for portability.

It is another object of the invention to provide a vacuum sealerappliance that has a vertical or near vertical positioned vacuum chamberwith a vertical open face, with the vacuum source providing suction fromthe top of the vacuum chamber, thereby reducing the suction of liquidsinto the vacuum source.

It is another object of the invention to provide a vacuum sealerappliance that provides a means for holding a vacuum bag outside of theappliance suspended vertically for filling with items.

It is another object of the invention to provide a vacuum sealerappliance that provides a means for holding various widths of vacuumbags suspended vertically with its open end positively positioned in avertical vacuum chamber opening prior to a vacuum being generated.

It is another object of the invention to provide the appliance with acase door that can be opened either vertically and locked, horizontally,or be completely removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a suspendedvacuum sealer appliance for extracting ambient air from a vacuum bagthat is filled with items and then sealing the bag, whereby the vacuumsealer is attached suspended under a shelf, cabinet or the like, whereina vacuum chamber is positioned vertical or near vertical at or nearninety degrees from horizontal, with an open face oriented vertical ornear vertical. The appliance is provided with bag arms that extend andretract from the appliance case. The arms are extended and each sidepanel of a vacuum bag is secured to the arms by clips, holding itvertical and open for easy filling. The vacuum bag is then filled andremoved from the arms. With the case door open the bag is attached tobag clips within or below to the vacuum chamber, thereby positivelyholding the open end of various width vacuum bags in the vacuum chamberopening, prior to the case door being closed, ready for vacuuming andsealing. The case door is closed and the operation is commenced in anormal sequence of extracting ambient air there from, then sealing thebag. Further provided is a bag tray attached to the case housing forstoring flat vacuum bags.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained byreference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunctionwith the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a trimetric 3 dimensional top front view of the invention withthe case door open.

FIG. 2 is a trimetric 3 dimensional exploded top front view of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a trimetric 3 dimensional bottom front view of the inventionbeing ready to mount under a shelf.

FIG. 4 is a trimetric 3 dimensional bottom view of the invention engagedon the mounting bracket.

FIG. 5 is a trimetric 3 dimensional bottom front view of the inventionfully installed with the case door open and the sliding bag traypartially extended.

FIG. 6 is a trimetric 3 dimensional bottom front view of the inventionbeing mounted to a vertical wall.

FIG. 7 is a trimetric 3 dimensional top front view of the inventionshowing the pivotal arms extended, holding a vacuum bag with a fillerfunnel insert in the vacuum bag.

FIG. 8 is a trimetric 3 dimensional top front view of the inventionshowing a vacuum storage bag placed on the adjustable bag clips readyfor vacuum sealing.

FIG. 9 is a trimetric 3 dimensional top front view of the invention witha vacuum bag position and door closed in the vacuum sealing position.

FIG. 10 is a section view of the invention taken along lines A-A in FIG.8 with the adjustable bag clips assembled on a drip tray in the vacuumchamber, case door open and the open end of a filled vacuum bag heldvertically in the front open side of the vacuum chamber.

FIG. 11 is a section view of the invention taken along lines B-B in FIG.9 with the adjustable bag clips assembled on the removable drip tray inthe vacuum chamber. With the case door closed the vacuum chamber issealed from ambient air, whereby ambient air can be extracted from thevacuum bag.

FIG. 12 is a section view of alternate 1 of the invention taken alonglines A-A in FIG. 8 with the adjustable bag clip assembly positionedbetween the vacuum chamber and heat strip, case door open and the openend of a filled vacuum bag held vertically within the vacuum chamber.

FIG. 13 is a section view of alternate 1 of the invention taken alonglines B-B in FIG. 9 with the adjustable bag clip assembly between vacuumchamber and heat strip, case door closed in position for extractingambient air from vacuum bag and sealing vacuum bag.

FIG. 14 is a section view of the invention taken along lines A-A in FIG.8 showing alternates 2 and 3, wherein illustrated are different optionsof bag clip arrangements.

FIG. 15 is a trimetric 3 dimensional back view of the door assembly.

FIG. 16 is an isometric close up view of the top right corner of theinvention case door.

FIG. 17 is an isometric 3 dimensional close up view of the top rightcorner of the invention case housing illustrating the filister design.

FIG. 18 a is an isometric 3 dimensional front view of the novel driptray with adjustable bag clips.

FIG. 18 b is an isometric 3 dimensional front view of the novel driptray with fixed bag clips.

FIG. 18 c is an isometric 3 dimensional back view of the drip trayillustrating perforation in the top rear corner.

FIG. 19 is an isometric 3 dimensional front view of an adjustable bagclip.

FIG. 20 is an isometric 3 dimensional front view of an adjustable bagclip.

FIG. 21 is an isometric 3 dimensional top view of the pivotal bag arm.

FIG. 22 is a trimetric 3 dimensional top front view of the sliding bagtray.

FIG. 23 is a trimetric 3 dimensional bottom view of the invention bagtray sliding track.

FIG. 24 is a trimetric 3 dimensional top front view of three alternatefeatures, including a horizontal swinging case door, adjustable bagclips attached direct to the vacuum chamber front lip and control buttonhousing in the front face.

FIG. 25 is schematic sight line study of the invention mounted under akitchen cabinet.

For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components willbear the same designations and numbering throughout the FIGURES. Forpurposes of brevity the ‘suspended vacuum sealer appliance’ will bereferred to as ‘appliance’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following description, taken in conjunction with the drawings, setsforth the preferred embodiment of the present invention in such a mannerthat anyone ordinarily skilled in the art can make and use theinvention. The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is the bestmethod envisioned by the inventor for use in a home, small shop orlaboratory environment, although it should be understood that variousmodifications can be accomplished within the scope and spirit of thepresent invention.

The present invention is an improvement over prior art in that theappliance provides a means for placing it where it is ready for instantuse, attached suspended under a shelf, cabinet or the like, provides ameans for filling a vacuum storage bag suspended in a vertical positionoutside of the appliance and provides a means for securely holding theopen end of a vacuum storage bag suspended in a vertical position in thevertical open face of a vacuum chamber, whereby the vacuum bag is readyto have ambient air extracted and thereafter sealed. The invention ashereinafter described can be constructed of plastic, metal and/or woodmaterials.

FIG. 1 is a trimetric view of the appliance 10, herein shown is a casehousing 12, pivotally attached case door 110 in the open position,removable top lid 22, control buttons 60, vacuum chamber with a verticalopen face, removable drip tray 82 with a vertical open face, adjustablebag clips 40, heat strip 62, pivotal bag arms 64 and slidable bag tray74.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating the individual components intheir relative positions for assembly. The case housing 12 consists ofsides, back, bottom and a recessed front panel 18. The recess of thefront panel 18 provides wing panels 26. Within the front panel 18 ishoused the vacuum chamber 28 with a front open face oriented vertical ornear vertical, which can be permanently or removably attached thereto.Provided surrounding the perimeter of the vacuum chamber 28 is a gasketseal 32 which is removably attached. Shown on the left side of casehousing 12 are control buttons 60 for controlling the functions forvacuuming and sealing. Housed within the case housing 12 are the vacuumsource pump 54, circuit board 58 (not seen here), wiring (not shown) andtubing 56 for communication between the vacuum source 54 and the vacuumchamber 28.

The top lid 22 is removably attached to gibs 44 provide in the casehousing 12, by fasteners (not shown). The removable drip tray 82 insertsinto the vacuum chamber 28. The case door 110 is pivotally attached tothe case housing wing panels 26, wherein the oblong axle pins 112 fitinto the oblong filisters 42 provided in each wing panel 26. A bag tray74 for storing flat vacuum bags is removably attached at the bottom thecase housing 12. The bag tray 74 can be positioned within or/and onbottom or top of the case housing 12. Further provided are pivotal bagarms 64 attached to the appliance 10 for holding vacuum bags in avertical position for filling. The pivotal bag arms 64 may be attachedanywhere appropriate on/in the appliance 10.

FIGS. 3, 4 & 5 illustrates the sequences for attaching the appliance 10to the bottom of a shelf, cabinet or the like. Provided is a mountingbracket 214 attached to the underside of the shelf 210, cabinet or thelike. Provided in each side of the case housing 12 are horizontalgrooves 46. These grooves align with the mounting bracket rails 216 andslides onto the bracket 214 as shown in FIG. 4. This mountingarrangement allows for convenient removal of the appliance 10 forportability.

FIG. 5 illustrates the appliance 10 installation completed with the casedoor 110 opened in a locked position. The bag tray 74 is shown extendedwhich allows convenient placing and retrieval of vacuum bags 130. Thedashed straight arrow line indicates the directions the bag tray slides.

FIG. 6 illustrates the appliance 10 being mounted to a wall 112.Provided at the rear of each side of the case housing 12 are verticalgrooves 48. The bracket 214 is attached to a wall 212 and the appliance10 is set in a similar sequence as mounting under a shelf.

FIG. 7, shows the process for filling a vacuum storage bag 130. Thevacuum bag 130 is retrieved from the bag tray 74. The pivotal arms 64are extended as indicated by an arc arrow line. The pivotal arms 64 arepivotally adjustable to fit various width vacuum bags 130. The vacuumbag 130 is placed on the pivotal arms 64 by spreading the vacuum bag'sopen end 132 and attaching each side thereof to the pivotal arm clips66. An optional filler funnel 138 can be placed in the vacuum bag openend 132. The neck of the filler funnel 138 keeps the inside of thevacuum bag 130 free and clean of contaminates from the open end 132 tobelow where the vacuum bag 130 will be sealed after the extraction ofambient air.

As shown in FIG. 8, after the vacuum bag 130 is filled and removed fromthe pivotal bag arms 64, both to corners of the vacuum bag are grippedby the user's two hands and the open end 132 of the vacuum bag 130 ispositioned in the vacuum chamber 28. With the thumbs of both handspressing the bag 130 in and down at the side of the bag clips 40 whereindicated by bold arrow lines, the bag 130 is pierced through both sidesand is held securely with the open end 132 in the vacuum chamber 28.

Referring to FIG. 9, the case door 110 is closed and the sequence ofvacuum extracting ambient air and sealing the vacuum bag 130 iscommenced.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the appliance 10 taken along lines A-A inFIG. 8, illustrating the preferred embodiment in detail with therelation between the components. The case door 110 being pivotallyattached to the case housing 12 rotates up approximately 135° fromvertical. The oblong axle boss 112, shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, freelyrotates in the oblong filister 42 provided in the wing panels 26, shownin FIG. 17. At an angle of approximately 135° up from vertical the axleboss 112 slips into slot 42 a, whereby it is locked in the openposition. This angle arrangement is critical, as shown by the sight linestudy in FIG. 25, thereby allowing the face of appliance 10 to beinstalled flush with the face of the cabinet above. Further provided, isa horizontal slot 42 b, wherein the case door 110 can be completelyremoved from the case housing 12, as may be preferred under someconditions. The vacuum bag open end 132 is held vertically in the frontopen face of the drip tray 82 by means of the adjustable bag clips 40.

The vacuum chamber 28 consists of a top panel 92, a back panel 94, abottom panel 96 and end closures 98. Provided in the top panel 92 is anorifice 52 for the connection of the vacuum tube 56 to the vacuum source54. This position of the orifice 52 further deters liquids from thecontent 134 from entering the vacuum source 54.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the appliance 10 taken along lines B-B inFIG. 9, illustrating the preferred embodiment with the case door 110 inthe closed position. The case door 110 is lifted up out of slots 42 ainto the oblong filister 42 and there rotated down to the closedposition.

Further provided on the case door 110 is a gasket seal 114 (as shown inFIG. 15), which aligns with the gasket seal 32 surrounding the perimeterof the vacuum chamber 28. As a vacuum is generated by the vacuum source54 within the vacuum chamber 28 the respective gasket seals compresstogether. Under this vacuum suction the oblong filister 42 allows thecase door 110 in the closed position to move horizontally and parallelin toward the front panel 18, as indicated by the straight arrow line inFIG. 11, thereby maintaining a uniform seal between the vacuum chambergasket seal 32 and case door gasket seal 114, whereby the vacuum chamberis sealed from ambient air.

Inside the gasket seal 114 is a recessed void space 116 for receivingthe end of the pin 39 of the bag clip 40 when the case door 110 isclosed. Positioned below the gasket seal 114 is a longitudinallyoriented rubber seal 118 which aligns with the heat strip 62 when thedoor is in the closed position. The rubber seal 118 compresses againstthe heat strip 62 when the door is sucked in by the vacuum source 54.

The removable drip tray 82 inserts into the front open face 29 of vacuumchamber 28. The drip tray 82 with a vertically oriented front open facehas a lip flange 83 at the bottom front edge, whereby dripping liquidsfrom the packaged contents 134 are trapped. Provided on the front lipflange 83 of the drip tray 82 is a track 84 for attaching the adjustableand/or removable bag clips 40. The track 84 may be omitted and a bagclip pin 39 can be mounted fixed to the front lip flange 83 of the driptray 82. In the face of front lip 83 are provided numerals 86 thatidentify different positions for placing the adjustable bag clips 40 or40 a to correspond with various width vacuum bags 130. In the top backcorner of the drip tray 82 are a series of perforations 90 which allowambient air 136 to exhaust through the drip tray 82 into the vacuumchamber 28 (see FIG. 19). Further, provided at the center in the driptray track 84 is a notch 88 for the insertion and removal of the bagclip 40 (see FIG. 18 a).

Below the vacuum chamber 28 is a heat strip wire 62. The heat strip wire62 is controlled by the circuit board 58 to seal the vacuum bag 130after the ambient air 136 has been evacuated from the bag 130, and whilea vacuum is still present within the vacuum chamber 28. When the heatstrip is activated it seals the vacuum bag 130 where it is compressedbetween the heat strip 62 and the rubber seal 118.

Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, these section drawings illustratealternate 1 of the adjustable bag clip 40 assembly. The track 84 isreplaced with an alternate track 84 a positioned in the front panel 18below the vacuum chamber 28 and above the heat strip wire 62. A notchedspace (not shown) is provided in the track 84 a for the insertion andremoval of the adjustable and/or removable bag clip 40. Adjustable bagclip 40 a may also be substituted for bag clip 40 with a revision of thetrack 84 a. Further, the pin 39 can be a stand alone bag clip to befixed in a position below the vacuum chamber 28 and above the heat strip62 on the front panel 18 without a track 84 a, similar to the fixed pin39 on the drip tray 82 as shown in FIG. 18 b. The void space 116 islocated below the case door gasket seal 114 to receive the end of thepin 39 when the case door 110 is closed.

FIG. 14 illustrates other alternates 2 and 3. Alternate 2 shows the bagclip 40 adjustable and/or removable on a front lip flange 99 of thevacuum chamber 28. This arrangement eliminates the use of drip tray 82.Numerals 86 can be provided on the front lip flange 99 or the frontpanel 18 to indicate where the bag clips 40 can be positioned forvarious width vacuum bags 130.

Alternate 3 illustrates the bag clip pin 39 in a fixed position on afront lip flange 99. This arrangement eliminates the use of drip tray 82and limits the use of some widths of vacuum bag 130.

FIG. 16 is a close up view showing the axle boss 112. The flat sides forthe axle boss 112 allow the case door 110 to be removable from thefilister 42 (FIG. 17) by sliding out of the slot 42 b in a horizontalposition. When the case door 110 is rotated up to the angle of the slot42 a the case door 110 slips into the slot 42 a and the case door 110 islocked in that position.

FIG. 18 a is a stand along isometric illustration of the preferred driptray 82 clearly showing the adjustable bag clips 40 and the numerals 86on the face of the front lip flange 83. The notch 88 is shown in thecenter of the track 84 however it is optional to where the notch 88 ispositioned.

FIG. 18 b illustrates the drip tray 82 with the bag clips pins 39 fixedon the front lip flange 83. With this arrangement additional drip trays82 can be furnished with the different spacing to accommodate differentwidth vacuum bags 130.

FIG. 18 c is an isometric back view of the drip tray 82 showingperforations 90 in the top back corner thereof, whereby communication isachieved from the drip tray 82 with the vacuum source 54 through thevacuum chamber 28.

FIG. 19 is an isometric front view of the adjustable bag clip 40. Thepreferred material of this bag clip is high impact thermo plastic withthe point of the pin only pointed sufficiently to pierce the vacuum bag130 and thereby not being hazardous to the user. The adjustable bag clip40 comprises a pin 39 integral with or fixed to a bag clip base 41.

FIG. 20 is an isometric front view of the adjustable bag clip 40 a. Thisadjustable bag clip 40 a fits directly to a front lip flange 99 providedat the bottom of the vacuum chamber 28 or to the front lip flange 83 onthe drip tray 82. The adjustable bag clip 40 a comprises the pin 39integral with or fixed to a bag clip base 41 a.

FIG. 21 illustrates the pivotal arm 64 assembly that is attached to theappliance 10. The clip pin 66 would preferably be of the same highimpact thermo plastic with the point of the pin only pointedsufficiently to pierce the vacuum bag 130. The pin clip 66 is fixed tothe end of bag arm 64. The axle pin 72 is pivotal within the bag arm 64or the case housing 12. Attachment of the pivotal arm axle 72 to thecase housing 12 can be by any reasonable means. Provided is a frictionwasher 68 between the case housing 12 and the pivotal arm 64 to hold thearm 64 where positioned from loosely swinging. The bag arm 62 mayattached either on or in said case housing 12.

FIG. 22 is a trimetric front view of the sliding bag tray 74. At eachside of the bag tray 74 are ribs 75. The ribs 75 interact with the fixedtray rails 73 (shown in FIG. 23) which are fixed to each side at thebottom of the case housing 12 allowing the bag tray 74 to freely slid.At the back of the tray rails 73 are stops (not shown) which stop thetray at a pre-determined position when closed. The bag tray 74 canoptionally be positioned at the top the case housing 12 and/or withinthe case housing 12.

FIG. 24 is presented to show three alternate options:

-   -   1) The case door 110 is hinged at one side wing 26 to pivot        horizontally. The holes 50 which receive the axle boss 112 are        elongated to allow the case door 110 to move parallel and        horizontally in and toward the front panel 18.    -   2) The bag clips 40 b are attached adjustable and/or removable        on the lip 99 provided at the front bottom edge of the vacuum        chamber 28, without the drip tray 82. The bag clips may be        removable and locatable by a means of snapping on to the front        lip flange 99. This same snapping arrangement is possible on the        front lip flange 83 on the drip tray 82. Further, the pin 39 can        be fixed to the front lip flange 99 of the vacuum chamber 28.    -   3) Provided is a control button housing 27 at one side wing 26,        wherein the control buttons are in the front of the appliance 10        rather than on the side as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 25 is a sight line study to show that a vertically hinged case door110 must be rotated up from the closed vertical position approximately135° otherwise the view of the vacuum chamber 28 may not be visible tothe user when attaching the vacuum bag 130 to the bag clips 40.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected byLetters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.

1. A vacuum sealer appliance for extracting ambient air from a vacuumstorage bag, thereafter sealing said vacuum storage bag, wherein saidvacuum sealing appliance is attached suspended under a shelf, cabinet orthe like, comprising: (a) a case housing, wherein provided on a frontpanel of said case housing is a vacuum chamber with a gasket sealsurrounding the perimeter of said vacuum chamber, wherein said vacuumchamber has a vertical open face. (b) a heat strip wire provided belowsaid vacuum chamber on said front panel of said case housing; (c) a casedoor, pivotally attached to said case housing, wherein provided is agasket seal which aligns with said vacuum chamber gasket seal when saidcase door is closed, whereby said vacuum chamber is sealed from ambientair; and (d) at least one adjustable bag clip means for securely holdingthe open end of said vacuum bag vertically within said vertical openface of said vacuum chamber with the said case door open.
 2. A vacuumsealer appliance for extracting ambient air from a vacuum storage bag,thereafter sealing said vacuum storage bag, wherein said vacuum sealingappliance is attached suspended under a shelf, cabinet or the like,comprising: a) a case housing, wherein provided on a front panel of saidcase housing is a vacuum chamber with a gasket seal surrounding theperimeter of said vacuum chamber, wherein said vacuum chamber has avertical open face. (b) a heat strip wire provided below said vacuumchamber on said front panel of said case housing; (c) a case door,pivotally attached to said case housing, wherein provided is a gasketseal which aligns with said vacuum chamber gasket seal when said casedoor is closed, whereby said vacuum chamber is sealed from ambient air;and (d) at least one pivotal bag arm provided and attached to saidvacuum sealer appliance for holding said vacuum bag for filling withitems.
 3. A vacuum sealer appliance for extracting ambient air from avacuum storage bag, thereafter sealing said vacuum storage bag, whereinsaid vacuum sealing appliance is attached suspended under a shelf,cabinet or the like, comprising: a) a case housing, wherein provided ona front panel of said case housing is a vacuum chamber with a gasketseal surrounding the perimeter of said vacuum chamber, wherein saidvacuum chamber has a vertical open face. (b) a heat strip wire providedbelow said vacuum chamber on said front panel of said case housing; (c)a case door, pivotally attached to said case housing, wherein providedis a gasket seal which aligns with said vacuum chamber gasket seal whensaid case door is closed, whereby said vacuum chamber is sealed fromambient air; and (e) a bag tray for storing flat said vacuum bag withinsaid suspended vacuum sealer appliance.
 4. The vacuum sealing applianceas recited in claim 1, wherein said bag clip means for securely holdingthe open end of said vacuum bag within said vertical open face of saidvacuum chamber is a drip tray with a vertical open face, inserted withinsaid vacuum chamber, with at least one said adjustable bag clip attachedto said drip tray. 5-14. (canceled)
 15. The vacuum sealing appliance asrecited in claim 1, wherein said bag clip means for securely holdingvertically the open end of said vacuum bag within said vertical openface of said vacuum chamber is at least one fixed said bag clip.
 16. Thevacuum sealing appliance as recited in claim 1, wherein said bag clipmeans for securely holding vertically the open end of said vacuum bagwithin said vertical open face of said vacuum chamber is at least oneremovable said bag clip.
 17. The vacuum sealing appliance as recited inclaim 4, wherein said bag clip means for securely holding the open endof said vacuum bag within said vertical open face of said vacuum chamberis said drip tray with a vertical open face, inserted within said vacuumchamber, with at least one fixed said bag clip attached to said driptray.
 18. The vacuum sealing appliance as recited in claim 4, whereinsaid bag clip means for securely holding the open end of said vacuum bagwithin said vertical open face of said vacuum chamber is said drip traywith a vertical open face, inserted within said vacuum chamber, with atleast one removable said bag clip attached to said drip tray.